Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s address at launch of developmental projects in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Present in the event, the Governor of Madhya Pradesh Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, my cabinet colleagues Shri Virendra Khatik ji, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia ji and Shri Prahlad Patel ji, ministers of the Madhya Pradesh Government, all MPs, everyone gathered here from different places and my dear brothers and sisters who have come here in large numbers!
The land of Sagar, the company of revered sages, the blessings of Sant Ravidas ji, and the great people like you from every section of the society who have gathered here in such large numbers from every corner to shower your blessings! Today we can see an ocean of harmony in Sagar. To further enrich this shared culture of the country, today the foundation stone of Sant Ravidas Memorial and Art Museum has been laid here. A short while back by the grace of the sages, I have got the blessed opportunity to perform Bhoomi Pujan for this sacred monument and I am the Member of Parliament from Kashi and hence my joy has doubled. And with the blessings of revered Sant Ravidas ji, I can say with confidence that since today I have laid the foundation stone, after a year and a half the temple will also be built. So I will definitely come here for the inauguration event as well. And I am sure that Sant Ravidas ji is about to give me a chance to come here the next time. I have had the privilege of visiting Sant Ravidas ji's birthplace in Varanasi several times. And today I am here amidst all of you. Today, from this land of Sagar, I bow down at the feet of Sant Shiromani Pujya Ravidas ji. I bow down to him.
Brothers & Sisters,
There will be grandeur as well as divinity in Sant Ravidas Memorial and Museum. This divinity will emanate from the teachings of Ravidas ji which have been linked to the foundation of this memorial today. The soil of more than 20,000 villages and more than 300 rivers, imbued with the spirit of harmony, has become a part of this memorial today. Along with a handful of soil, lakhs of families of MP have also sent a handful of grains for the 'Samrasta Bhoj'. The 5 Samrasta Yatras that were going on for this have also culminated today here at Sagar. And I believe that these Samrasta Yatras have not ended here, rather, a new era of social harmony has started from here. I congratulate the Government of Madhya Pradesh for this work, and I also congratulate Chief Minister Shivraj ji and all of you!
Friends,
When inspiration and progress come together, it lays the foundation of a new era. Today our country, our MP, is moving forward with this strength. In line with this, the project related to the doubling of the railway track on the Kota-Bina section has also been inaugurated here today. The foundation stone of two important routes on the National Highway has also been laid. These development projects will provide better facilities to the people of Sagar and nearby areas. I congratulate all the brothers and sisters here for the same.
Friends,
This foundation of Sant Ravidas Memorial and Museum has been laid at a time when the country has completed 75 years of its independence. Now the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal are in front of us. In 'Amritkaal', it is our responsibility to carry forward our legacy and seek lessons from the past. As a nation, we have undertaken a journey of thousands of years. It is also natural for some evil forces to creep in the society during such a long period. It is due to the power of the Indian society that some great men, some sages have been emerging from time to time in this society to defeat these evil forces. Ravidas ji was such a great saint. He was born in the period when the country was ruled by the Mughals. The society was grappling with instability, oppression and tyranny. Even at that time Ravidas ji was trying to awaken the society. He was awakening the society; he was teaching the society to fight against its evils. Sant Ravidas ji had said-
जात पांत के फेर महि, उरझि रहई सब लोग।
मानुष्ता कुं खात हई, रैदास जात कर रोग॥
That is, everyone is entangled in casteism, and this disease is eating up humanity. On one hand he was speaking against social evils, and on the other hand he was awakening the soul of the country. When our beliefs were being attacked, restrictions were being imposed on us to erase our identity, Ravidas ji had said a few powerful lines at that time during the Mughal era. Just look at his courage; look at his patriotism. Ravidas ji had said-
पराधीनता पाप है, जान लेहु रे मीत|
रैदास पराधीन सौ, कौन करेहे प्रीत ||
That is, dependence is the greatest sin. One who accepts subjugation and does not fight against it, is not loved by anyone. In a way, he had encouraged the society to fight against tyranny. Chhatrapati Veer Shivaji Maharaj had laid the foundation of Hindavi Swarajya with this spirit. The same spirit was in the hearts of lakhs of freedom fighters during the freedom struggle. And, with this very spirit, today the country is moving ahead on the resolve to get rid of the mentality of slavery.
Friends,
Raidas ji had said in one of his couplets and even Shivraj ji mentioned it now -
ऐसा चाहूं राज मैं, जहां मिलै सबन को अन्न।
छोट-बड़ों सब सम बसै, रैदास रहै प्रसन्न॥
That is, the society should be such wherein no one remains hungry and the people live together rising above any discrimination. Today, in the 'Azaadi Ka Amrit Kaal', we are making efforts to free the country from poverty and hunger. You have witnessed one of the worst pandemics such as corona. The systems of the whole world have collapsed. The whole world has come to a standstill. Everyone was expressing concerns for the poor, Dalits and tribals in India. It was being said that such a big crisis had hit the world after a hundred years. How was this section of the society going to survive? But, then I decided that come what may, I will not let my poor brothers and sisters sleep empty stomach. Friends, I know very well the pain of hunger. I know what self-respect is to a poor person. I am a member of your family. I do not have to read books to understand and feel your pain and sorrow. That's why we started Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Free ration was ensured for more than 80 crore people. And today, our efforts are being appreciated all over the world.
Friends,
Today, all the major schemes in the country that are being implemented for the welfare of the poor, are benefitting mostly the Dalit, backward, and the tribal society. You all are very well aware that the schemes that used to be launched during the regime of the previous governments used to be according to the election seasons. But, we believe that the country should stand with Dalits, the deprived, the backward, tribals, and women at every stage of life. We should support their hopes and aspirations. If you look at the schemes, you will realise that around the time of delivery of the child, Rs 6,000 are given to the pregnant mothers under the Matru Vandana Yojana so that the mother and the child remain healthy. You also are aware that after birth, children are at risk of certain infectious diseases. Due to poverty, the most affected communities used to be Dalits and tribals. Today, Mission Indradhanush is being run for the complete protection of newborn children. The government wants to ensure that children are vaccinated against all diseases. I am glad that more than 5.5 crore mothers and children have been vaccinated in the past years.
Friends,
Today we are running a campaign to free 7 crore brothers and sisters of the country from sickle cell anaemia. Work is underway to make the country TB-free by 2025. Kala Azar and Encephalitis & Brain fever outbreaks are slowly decreasing. Dalit, deprived, poor families were the most affected by these diseases. Similarly, if treatment is needed, arrangements have been made for free treatment in hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. People say that they have got the Modi card. If they have to pay medical bills of up to Rs 5 lakh, they believe that their son Modi is paying it on their behalf.
Friends,
Education is very important in life. Today good schools are being set up in the country for the education of tribal children. 700 Eklavya residential schools are being opened in tribal areas. The government provides them books and scholarships for education. The system of mid-day meals is being improved so that children get nutritious food. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana has been started for the daughters, so that the daughters also progress equally. Separate scholarships have been introduced for SC, ST, OBC boys and girls to pursue higher education after school. Schemes like Mudra loans have also been started for our youth to help them become self-reliant and fulfil their dreams. Out of all the beneficiaries of the Mudra Yojana so far, a large number of them are my brothers and sisters from the SC-ST community. And all the money is given without bank guarantee.
Friends,
Keeping in mind the SCs and STs, we had also started the Standup India scheme. Under Standup India, the youth of SC-ST community have received financial assistance of Rs. 8,000 crores. Rs. 8000 crores have gone to the youth of our SC-ST community. Many of our tribal brothers and sisters earn their living through forest wealth. The country is running the Van Dhan Yojana for them. Today about 90 forest products are included under the MSP scheme. Moreover, no Dalit, deprived or backward person should remain without a house. Every poor person should have a roof over his head. Therefore, Pradhan Mantri Awas are being handed over to them. To ensure all the necessary facilities in the house, electricity connection, water connection have also been given free of cost. As a result, the people of the SC-ST community are becoming financially independent today. They are getting their rightful and equal place in society.
Friends,
Sagar district has Sagar or Sea in its name, but at the same time it is also identified with the 400-acre Lakha Banjara Lake. The name of a hero like Lakha Banjara is associated with this place. Lakha Banjara had realized the importance of water several years ago. But, the people who ran the governments in the country for decades, did not even realise the need to provide drinking water to the poor. Our government is also engaged with this work in full swing through the Jal Jeevan Mission. Today, piped water is reaching Dalit settlements, backward areas and tribal areas. Similarly, taking forward the tradition of Lakha Banjara, 75 Amrit Sarovars are also being built in every district. These lakes will become a symbol of the spirit of freedom, a centre of social harmony.
Friends,
Today, be it Dalit, deprived, backward, or the tribal section of the country, our government is giving them due respect and giving them new opportunities. Neither the people of this section of the society are weak, nor their history is weak. Several great personalities have emerged from these sections of the society. They have played an extraordinary role in nation building. That's why, today the country is proudly preserving their legacy as well. The temple was beautified at the birthplace of Sant Ravidas ji in Varanasi. I had the privilege of attending that event personally. The Global Skill Park that is being built here at Govindpura in Bhopal has also been named after Sant Ravidas. We have also taken up the task of developing important places linked to the life of Baba Saheb as Panch-Teerth. Similarly, today museums are being built in many states of the country to immortalize the glorious history of the tribal society. The country has started the tradition of celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as Tribal Pride Day. In Madhya Pradesh too, the Habibganj railway station is named after Queen Kamalapati of the Gond community. Patalpani station is named after Tantya Mama. Today, for the first time in the country, Dalit, backward and tribal traditions are getting the honour and respect they deserve. We have to move forward with this resolution of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas'. I am sure, in this journey undertaken by the country, the teachings of Sant Ravidas ji will continue to unite all the countrymen. Together, we will make India a developed nation. With this spirit, thank you very much. My best wishes to you all.
Thank you.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.